Gilas Pilipinas set for daily practices as PBA Commissioner’s Cup winds down

Gilas Pilipinas practice on Monday. Photo by Denison Dalupang

MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas barely had enough men to run defensive schemes during its training Monday night at Meralco Gym in Pasig.

Only 10 members of the national team’s 19-man talent pool for the FIBA World Cup in China were present in the practice session as a handful, according to national coach Yeng Guiao, were focused on their respective campaigns in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

“It’s really hard to divide one’s attention at this crucial stage,” he told reporters. “We just have to manage whatever opportunities we have.”

“I know they have responsibilities with their mother clubs,” Guiao added.

Running plays Monday night were Mark Barroca Andray Blatche, Beau Belga, Poy Erram, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, CJ Perez, Kiefer Ravena Matthew Wright. The league’s five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo was also in attendance but remained on the sidelines.

The mentor, though, pointed out that such set-up won’t last long as they are expecting more players will be free by July 29—the same time he looks to employ daily practices.

“[We’re going to do] 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays next week,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the other guys to become free with their schedules so they’re able to focus on our practices.”

Guiao also said that Gilas is set to put in the daily grind as the team moves closer to its scheduled pocket tournament in Spain and the global contest slated in multiple Chinese cities beginning Aug. 31.

And he expects the pool to have better cohesion by the time they leave for Europe.

“We’re expecting better chemistry, better conditioning for Andray since he already needs to work up and down, offense and defense,” Guiao said.

“Before we leave for Spain in August, we should be able to be at more or less 70 to 80 percent.”

Gilas also is scheduled for a friendly match with Aussie side Adelaide 36ers sometime before the World Cup.